Hybrid textured/polished respiratory mask seal and respiratory mask using same

• US 7,640,933 B1
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips RS North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Ho, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu; Justine R
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIXON, ANNETTE FREDRICKA
• Application Number:
  US10/778,444
• Time in Patent Office: 2,153 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/205.25, 128/206.12, 128/206.14, 128/206.21, 128/206.23, 128/206.24, 128/206.25, 128/206.28
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A seal for a respiratory mask that includes a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a mask shell, a second end portion for sealing engagement with a face of a patient, and a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. At least a portion of the second end portion includes a textured area having a first rms surface roughness that is greater than a second rms surface roughness of a non-textured area of the seal. The area of increased surface roughness provides the patient contacting portion of the seal with a silky feeling to maximize patient comfort and the effectiveness of the seal without impairing the sealing ability.

Claims

1. A respiratory mask facial seal comprising:

a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a mask shell;

a second end portion for sealing engagement with a face of a patient; and

a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein at least a portion of the second end portion includes a textured area having a first rms surface roughness that is greater than 700 microinches, and wherein the seal includes a non-textured area having a second rms surface roughness of less than 690 microinches.

2. The seal of claim 1, wherein the first rms surface roughness is in a range of 750-1,500 microinches.

3. The seal of claim 1, wherein the second rms surface roughness is in a range of 1-100 microinches.

4. The seal of claim 1, wherein the textured area is disposed over an entire patient-contacting surface at the second end portion of the seal.

5. The seal of claim 1, wherein the textured area is disposed on a first flap operatively connected to the side wall, and further comprising a second flap underlying the first flap.

6. The seal of claim 1, wherein the second end portion is generally triangular-shaped and sized and configured so as to encompass and airway of a patient responsive to the seal being positioned on such a patient, wherein the textured area is provided around an entire perimeter of the patient contacting surface of the second end portion of the seal.

7. A respiratory mask facial seal comprising:

a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a mask shell;

a second end portion for sealing engagement with a face of a patient,

wherein at least a first portion of the second end portion includes a first rms surface roughness greater than 700 microinches; and

a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein (a) at least a second portion of the second end portion or (b) a first portion of the sidewall includes a second rms surface roughness less than 700 microinches.

8. The seal of claim 7, wherein the first rms surface roughness is in a range of 700-1,500 microinches.

9. A respiratory mask comprising:

(a) a shell having an first opening adapted to be coupled to a patient circuit and a second opening; and

(b) a seal comprising;

(1) a first end portion coupled to the shell,

(2) a second end portion for sealing engagement with a face of a patient, and

(3) a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein at least a portion of the second end portion includes a textured area having a first rms surface roughness that is greater than 700 microinches, and wherein the seal includes a non-textured area having a second rms surface roughness of less than 690 microinches.

10. The mask of claim 9, wherein the first rms surface roughness is in a range of 750-1,500 microinches.

11. The mask of claim 9, wherein the second rms surface roughness is in a range of 1-100 microinches.

12. The mask of claim 9, wherein the textured area is disposed over an entire patient-contacting surface at the second end portion of the seal.

13. The mask of claim 9, wherein the second end portion is generally triangular-shaped and is sized and configured so as to encompass and airway of a patient responsive to the seal being positioned on such a patient, wherein the textured area is provided around an entire perimeter of the patient contacting surface of the second end portion of the seal.

14. The mask of claim 9, further comprising:

a forehead support operatively coupled to the shell; and

a patient contacting forehead pad operatively coupled to the shell, wherein at least a portion of the forehead pad includes a second textured area having a third rms surface roughness that is also greater than the second rms surface roughness.

15. The mask of claim 14, wherein the third rms surface roughness is greater than 700 microinches.

16. The mask of claim 14, wherein the third rms surface roughness is substantially the same as the first surface roughness.

17. A respiratory mask comprising:

(a) a shell having a first opening adapted to be coupled to a patient circuit and a second opening; and

(b) a seal comprising;

(1) a first end portion coupled to the shell;

(2) a second end portion for sealing engagement with a face of a patient, wherein at least a first portion of the second end portion includes a first rms surface roughness greater than 700 microinches; and

(3) a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein (i) at least a second portion of the second end portion or (ii) a first portion of the sidewall includes a second rms surface roughness less than 700 microinches.

18. The mask of claim 17, wherein the first rms surface roughness is in a range of 700-1,500 microinches.

19. The mask of claim 17, further comprising:

a forehead support operatively coupled to the shell; and

a patient contacting forehead pad operatively coupled to the shell, wherein at least a portion of the forehead pad includes a third rms surface roughness greater than the second surface roughness.

20. The mask of claim 19, wherein the third rms surface roughness is greater than 700 microinches.

21. The mask of claim 19, wherein the third rms surface roughness is substantially the same as the first surface roughness.